Arriving in Bali - the island of gods

Bali is stunning, so stunning that upon my return, even a lazy person like me felt compelled to write an article about the memorable indulgence.

Exploring Bali - the island of gods

Why Choose Bali?

Bali is a renowned tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Vietnamese travelers to Southeast Asian countries are granted visa exemption, saving them from cumbersome procedures. That's the first reason.

The second reason is that Bali perfectly meets all my travel criteria: nature, culture, beaches, and shopping. Bali has mountains, forests, lakes, and terraced fields. The cultural imprint is evident everywhere. Almost everywhere I go, I encounter a part of the traditional culture, from temples and houses to the locals' attire.

Bali boasts numerous beaches. Although I'm not a swimmer, I absolutely love spending time by the sea. Just sitting on the shore, listening to the waves crashing, brings me immense joy. Bali is home to many hidden beaches, secluded and tranquil, with fine sand nestled amidst rocky cliffs. While not as bustling as big cities, Bali still offers several shopping areas (mostly concentrated in Kuta) that are quite satisfactory.

Thirdly, the overall expenses for a trip to Bali are generally within my budget, not as extravagant as traveling to other countries.

I have quite a few friends who have visited Bali, so it's easier for me to seek advice and insights from them.

The final reason I chose to visit Bali is because I watched the movie 'Love Story in Bali' (starring So Ji Sub) and have read 'Eat, Pray, Love'. Just that was enough for me to fall in love with Bali even before setting foot there...

Preparing for the Trip

Booking Flights: There are no direct flights from Vietnam to Bali, so I had to book connecting flights. I booked tickets with Air Asia, 4 segments with 2 separate codes, connecting in Kuala Lumpur. To be honest, I couldn't secure cheap tickets because my schedule wasn't very flexible, but nonetheless, I could afford it. Being cautious, I booked flights with 5-hour intervals to allow time for check-in/check-out procedures, in case of flight delays, and for meals and rest...

It's advisable to check in online in advance to save time, no need to check baggage (unless you're too lazy to carry your suitcase). It's best to carry some snacks on board to prevent hunger during the flight.

Hotel Booking: In Bali, there are several main areas like Kuta, Ubud, Seminyak, Nusa Dua. Kuta is a bustling tourist hub, especially favored by backpackers, so it's always crowded and lively. We enjoy such bustling places, so we chose to stay in Kuta.

Ubud is the heart of Bali, a cradle of traditional culture. If you want to get close to nature, immerse yourself in the local life, and enjoy the fresh air amidst nature, then Ubud is the ideal place for you.

Seminyak has now become a renowned area almost as bustling as Kuta. In this area, if you're traveling in a group, you can rent a villa, which turns out to be quite economical. Nusa Dua is a high-end resort area.

In Kuta, we booked a 2-star hotel, small but with a swimming pool. The furnishings are generally modern, matching our preferences. The room quality was a bit disappointing (dark, a bit old), but not too bad. Great location, tucked away in an alley near the busiest street in Kuta, so despite being in the center, the hotel is fairly quiet. It's conveniently located near the local market, with a 24-hour supermarket at the entrance and plenty of eateries nearby. The hotel staff is very friendly and helpful (we highly appreciate this). We booked a deluxe room on the 1st floor, with a nice view but slightly lacking privacy as guests occasionally pass by. We had to keep the curtains drawn most of the time.

Services: In Bali, a popular travel option is to rent a private car with an English-speaking driver. I found the prices reasonable. You can follow your own itinerary, or the driver can suggest one. On the way, if you want to stop anywhere, you can simply request the driver.

We traveled by a comfortable 4-seater car with cool air conditioning. This is almost like an official service in Bali now. The driver can accompany you to visit attractions without the need for tickets and can take amazing photos for you. Our driver took some unreal photos, even better than us.

Travel Itinerary

Bali offers many attractions and activities. Depending on your time frame, you can choose the most worthwhile places to visit, leaving the rest for future trips. Here's the itinerary for our Bali trip:

Day 1: Fly and fly. Arrive late in the evening, check into the hotel in Kuta, and rest.

Day 2: Depart at 9 a.m. to visit Tanah Lot temple. Have lunch at Pirates Bay in Nusa Dua. Enjoy beach time. Depart at 4 p.m. to visit Uluwatu temple and watch the Kecak Dance (show from 6 to 7:30 p.m.). Have dinner at Jimbaran beach and then return to the hotel.

Day 3: Depart at 7:30 a.m. to visit Ulun Danu Beratan temple. Stop for strawberry juice on the way back. Visit Monkey Forest in Ubud. Have lunch at a restaurant near the entrance. Visit Tegalalang rice terraces. Explore the art market in Ubud and buy souvenirs. Return to the hotel for a refreshing shower then stroll around Kuta, have dinner, and hit a bar/café.

Day 4: Wake up early and head to the beach. Have breakfast. Rent a motorbike from the hotel and go shopping around Kuta: Kuta Beach Walk, Mal Bali Galeria. Have lunch. Spend the afternoon at the hotel pool, relax, have dinner, and then head to the airport.

Day 5: Depart for Hanoi at 9 a.m. Arrive home and rest, ready for work the next day.

According to Zing News

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Source: Travel Guide by Mytour